confidence in her. They replied by offering to take instant measures to
gratify all her demands, so soon as those demands should be made known;
and the Queen finding herself surrounded by so many gentlemen and by a
crowd of people, appointed them accordingly to come to her private
apartments the same afternoon.

At that interview none were present save Walsingham and Lord Chamberlain
Howard. The Queen showed herself "extraordinarily resolute" to take up
the affairs of the Provinces. "She had always been sure," she said,
"that the French negotiation would have no other issue than the one which
they had just seen. She was fully aware what a powerful enemy she was
about to make--one who could easily create mischief for her in Scotland
and Ireland; but she was nevertheless resolved, if the States chose to
deal with her frankly and generously, to take them under her protection.
She assured the envoys that if a deputation with full powers and
reasonable conditions should be immediately sent to her, she would not
delay and dally with them, as had been the case in France, but would
despatch them back again at the speediest, and would make her good
inclination manifest by deeds as well as words. As she was hazarding
her treasure together with the blood and repose of her subjects, she was
not at liberty to do this except on receipt of proper securities."

Accordingly De Gryze went to the Provinces, provided with complimentary
and affectionate letters from the Queen, while Ortel remained in England.
So far all was plain and above-board; and Walsingham, who, from the
first, had been warmly in favour of taking up the Netherland cause, was
relieved by being able to write in straightforward language. Stealthy
and subtle, where the object was to get within the guard of an enemy who
menaced a mortal blow, he was, both by nature and policy, disposed to
deal frankly with those he called his friends.